Progressives Unite to Endorse Andrew Gounardes for New York State Senate

New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer, Assembly Members Jo Anne Simon and Robert C. Carroll, and Council Member Brad Lander Join Growing List of Supporters

BROOKLYN, NY; Aug. 20, 2018 -- Yesterday, New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer, Assembly Members Jo Anne Simon and Robert C. Carroll, and Council Member Brad Lander joined Andrew Gounardes for a special “Progressives for Andrew” Day of Action where in front of a crowd of fifty supporters, they officially endorsed Democrat Andrew Gounardes for the NY State Senate in District 22, citing Gounardes’ commitment to women, families, students, and working class New Yorkers.

Statement by New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer

“Southern Brooklyn needs strong leadership in Albany,” said Comptroller Scott M. Stringer. “It’s time to elect a State Senator who will fight for good schools, safer streets, and strong communities -- which is exactly why I’m proud to endorse Andrew Gounardes today. For years, I’ve seen Andrew advocate successfully for his neighbors and all New Yorkers. Now I’m excited to hit the campaign trail to elect the next State Senator in District 22!”

Statement by Assembly Member Simon

“Andrew believes that we need to clean up corruption in Albany and lead the way in policies that support women and families,” said Assembly Member Jo Anne Simon. “He supports getting big money out of politics by closing the LLC Loophole, legislation that I sponsor in the Assembly and that has repeatedly failed in the State Senate. His commitment to supporting women and families by ending the wage gap for women and communities of color, increasing funding for child care, combating sexual harassment in the workplace, and reforming our broken child support system will make New York a place where families can thrive. Andrew is not afraid of tough battles -- that’s why he’s going to be our next State Senator.”

Statement by Assembly Member Carroll

“I have known Andrew for six years and I know he has the skill and intellect to inordinately impact the State Senate,” said Assembly Member Robert C. Carroll. He will represent the 22nd Senate district well and will be a voice for common sense and progressive legislation like reforming our voting and campaign finance laws, protecting our environment and making sure our streets are safe. For too long Republicans in the senate have not attended to the needs of NYC and with Andrew that will come to an end.”

Statement by Council Member Lander

"It's this simple: Andrew Gounardes is the best candidate to stop Marty Golden. Golden and the GOP State Senate have long been the reason we can't fix the subways, fund our public schools, or pass common-sense gun laws,” said Council Member Brad Lander. “But by allowing our life-saving school-zone speed cameras to expire, they have truly reached a new level in dereliction of duty. Golden is a reckless driver himself, having killed a 74-year-woman who was crossing the street with his SUV, and still continuing to rack up speeding tickets -- while failing to renew NYC's speed camera program that has been proven to reduce speeding, prevent crashes, and save lives. Andrew Gounardes is a true champion of pedestrian safety. No one will fight harder to make our streets safe for our kids, and for all of us."

Statement by Andrew Gounardes

“I am honored to receive the endorsements of New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer, Assembly Members Simon and Carroll, and Council Member Lander,” said Gounardes. “I am inspired by their records of public service and their commitment to finding progressive solutions for issues affecting so many. I will work tirelessly to champion women’s rights, workers’ rights, students’ rights, and the rights of all New Yorkers to make our state a stronger, fairer, and more inclusive place to live, work, and thrive.”

About Andrew Gounardes

Born and raised in Bay Ridge, it was in Southern Brooklyn where Andrew Gounardes started his work in public service. As an aide to former City Councilmember Vincent Gentile, he helped neighbors solve everyday quality of life problems. Currently, he serves as Counsel to Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams and as a trustee of the New York City Employees' Retirement System, one of the largest municipal pension funds in the country. Before serving at Borough Hall, he worked for Citizens Committee for New York City, a non-profit that provides neighborhood improvement grants to community groups across the five boroughs. He also served on Community Board 10 and is a longtime member of the Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church in Bay Ridge.

After Superstorm Sandy, Andrew co-founded Bay Ridge Cares, an organization that prepared 25,000 hot meals for victims after the storm. Today, the organization still supports community members facing extraordinary need by providing them with emergency assistance. As a member of the Riders Alliance, he organized and formed the Concerned R Train Riders to fight for better service and demand handicapped accessible subway stations in South Brooklyn. He helped write and pass legislation to combat dangerous home conversions, and continues to work toward helping those who are displaced from unsafe living conditions.

His work with Bay Ridge Advocates for Keeping Everyone Safe (B.R.A.K.E.S.) successfully pressured Albany lawmakers to allow speed cameras in school zones. As an advocate for art and culture in our neighborhoods, he served as pro bono legal counsel for the Bay Ridge Storefront Art Walk (S.A.W.) and as past president of the Bay Ridge Historical Society.

Andrew graduated from Fort Hamilton High School before going on to earn degrees from Hunter College and the George Washington University Law School.

Andrew’s Endorsements

Andrew has been endorsed by NYSUT, the local chapter of United Automobile Workers, the District 1 chapter of Communications Workers of America, SEIU 32BJ, DC9 The International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, The Working Families Party, Bay Ridge Democrats, Brooklyn Young Democrats, Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats, Southern Brooklyn Democrats, Lambda Independent Democrats of Brooklyn, Stonewall Democrats of NYC, Stars & Stripes Democratic Club, Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams, City Council Members Justin Brannan, Brad Lander, Mark Treyger, Alan Maisel, and Lew Fidler, 41st AD State Committeewoman Lori Maslow, Assembly Members Peter Abbate, Jo Anne Simon, and Robert C. Carroll, Former Council Member Vincent Gentile, Chairperson of the Kings County Democrats Frank Seddio, and Run for Something. He has also been named a Gun Sense Candidate of Distinction by Moms Demand Action.

About District 22

District 22 comprises the Brooklyn neighborhoods of Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst, Marine Park, Gerritsen Beach, and Gravesend, as well as portions of Sheepshead Bay, Borough Park, and Midwood.